The effectiveness of reminiscence for dementia has been claimed as an effective tool, but scientific validation and systematic assessment of this method is needed. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to search whether a reminiscence program is associated with improvement of quality of life of demented long term care residents. The trial had three arms: interventional, comparison and control. The reminiscence program was modeled within a life-story approach, while comparison group received informal counseling to control for changes in quality of life resulting from social contacts. The Social Engagement Scale (SES) and Self-rated Quality of Life Index (SRQoL) were the outcome measures. The results were examined at baseline (T0), twelve weeks (T1), and 6 months (T2) after intervention. The sample had 135 subjects [intervention group (N=45), comparison group (N=45) and control group (N=45)].

Social Engagement Scale rates resident status during the last seven days in areas such as ease interaction with others and doing planned or structured activities. Each item is ranked on a binary basis, as yes (1) or no (0) by the caregiver.

24 bi-weekly sessions of reminiscence therapy, lasting one hour each one, over a period of 12 weeks. Refers to the use of images, sentences or memorabilia which help to focus on specific segments of the life history of an individual, and stimulates the emergence of affect-laden personal recalls, which are later verbalized in the context of guided conversations. The term story life is intended to highlight samples of meaningful events of the subject's life rather than a historically structured biography. Three main variables contributed to successful reminiscing: individuality, evaluation and structure.

Behavioral: reminiscence therapy

24 bi-weekly sessions of reminiscence therapy, lasting one hour each one, over a period of 12 weeks. The latter refers to the use of images, sentences or memorabilia which help to focus on specific segments of the life history of an individual, and stimulates the emergence of affect-laden personal recalls, which are later verbalized in the context of guided conversations12. The term story life is intended to highlight samples of meaningful events of the subject's life rather than a historically structured biography13. Three main variables contributed to reminiscing: individuality, evaluation and structure.

Other Name: reminiscence intervention

Placebo Comparator: comparison

control group was administered counseling and informal social contacts in bi-weekly sessions of one hour, but they didn't participate in reminiscence sessions to rule out the possibility that improvement in quality of life was due only to attention received and social stimulation.

Behavioral: comparison group

The control group was administered counseling and informal social contacts in bi-weekly sessions of one hour, common subjects addressed by comparison group were social security incomes, diets, family visits.

Other Name: comparison

No Intervention: control

control group was administered counseling and informal social contacts in bi-weekly sessions of one hour,

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01295957